Analysis Of The Man Who Listens To Horses By Monty Roberts

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World-renowned trainer, competitor, and a leader in horsemanship techniques as applies to modern day methods, the man named Monty Roberts overturned the horse world as it was, and founded a completely new philosophy: that of natural horsemanship. As he writes in his book, “The Man Who Listens to Horses,” Roberts grew up in a very different horse world of “rough and ready” cowboys determined to beat their horses into submission by breaking their spirits. Convinced there was a better, kinder, more natural way of training a horse, Monty set out at the age of thirteen to observe wild mustangs in their natural habitat. Through his quest over his many years as a trainer and world-class competitor on the Western circuits and later in Thoroughbred …show more content…

Some examples of this includes a cocked hoof, which may indicate either relaxation or irritation, the direction of both ears to determine what the horse is paying attention to, as well as tail swishing or teeth exposure (Conant). All of these behaviors are very simple yet obvious signs that can allow a horse to communicate exactly what he is thinking or feeling, as well as give a good idea of how he might react to certain behaviors of the handler. On this topic, Roberts writes that over the years, a mantra he came up with that proved to be true through experience is, “A good trainer can hear a horse speak to him. A great trainer can hear him whisper” (Roberts 46). In addition, he claims that every horse speaks this same communicative, physical language, which he calls Equus, if one can only learn it. Supporting this is Dr. Robert Miller, who writes in his book, “Understanding the Ancient Secrets of the Horse’s Mind”, that certain traits are genetically installed into each horse, and these traits, anatomical, physiological and behavioral determines how each horse responds to different training techniques. Thus, by observing, respecting, and learning the language of the horse, a handler can get through to just about any …show more content…

One such horse went by the name of Lomitas. A chestnut, sixteen hands high Thoroughbred stallion, he was an up and coming talent in the racing circuit. The problem though, was that after several starts as a two-year-old, he came to be terrified of the starting gate. His refusal to enter resulted in Lomitas actually injuring someone when he turned vicious after being pushed, shoved, hit, blindfolded, and whipped by the track officials who were meant to load him in. He was finally banned from the track for being too dangerous in the starting gate, which is when the owner called in Roberts with a plea for help. Roberts began soon after, experimenting with the horse and learning his nature. After achieving join-up, he tested the stallion’s limits, and discovered that he was incredibly claustrophobic. “He was prepared to blame us for placing him inside enclosed structures such as starting gates and vans,” writes Roberts (212). Thus, although he had always been treated well in the eyes of his handlers, Lomitas interpreted being forced into the starting gate as though his people were treating him unfairly. Robert’s first goal was to load the horse on the van, which after earning the stallion’s trust, was not an issue whatsoever, whereas previously the horse would not go near the van, much less

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